Mauiʻs Voyaging Canoe, Moʻokiha o Piʻilani Secures Permanent Mooring

Hui o Waʻa Kaulua, Maui’s Voyaging Society, announced today that Maui’s Hawaiian voyaging canoe, the Moʻokiha o Piʻilani, has secured a new home with a permanent mooring permit at Mā’alaea Harbor.

“We have many to thank in our community: Polynesian Voyaging Society, ‘Ohana Waʻa, private donors, county, state, and federal officials who all did their part to help make history today,” hui representatives said in a press release announcement.

Representative said, “Having Moʻokiha o Piʻilani in a permanent home at Mā’alaea Harbor supports Hui o Waʻa Kaulua to realize its vision to cultivate and support future generations of voyagers to perpetuate Hawaiian culture.”

Hui o Waʻa Kaulua’s voyaging, educational programs, and crew training classes are ongoing.

The Moʻokiha o Piʻilani was moved out of dry dock in January of 2014 for final construction.  In July of 2014, the 63-foot, 11-ton, double-hulled traditional sailing canoe was slowly rolled 1.4 miles up Front Street to Māla Wharf in Lahaina for its official launch on July 11.

Construction was conducted over the course of 17 years at Kamehameha Iki Park in West Maui, but work to build the vessel actually began in the mid 1990s.

For their assistance in completing the required documents, Hui o Waʻa Kaulua thanked a list of contributors including:

• US Army Corps of Engineers
• DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, Māʻalaea Harbormaster and Staff
• Eric Yuasa, DLNR/ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Engineer
• Josh Murphree, Kai Hawaiʻi, Inc.
• Steve Madaras and ‘Ohana, Maui Moorings
• Chief Lee and Staff of the US Coast Guard, Māʻalaea Harbor Station

Corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities are also available. Interested individuals are invited to learn more by visiting Hui o Waʻa Kaulua‘s website, email them at [email protected], or call (808) 667-4050.

File photo courtesy Hui o Waʻa Kaulua/Charlie Osborn.

The Mo’okiha o Pi’ilani voyaging canoe on launch day, July 11 2014. File photo courtesy Hui O Wa’a Kaulua.

The Mo’okiha o Pi’ilani canoe is rolled up Front Street at around midnight, July 7. File photo by Charles Osborn.

Volunteers aboard the Mo’okiha o Pi’ilani voyaging canoe. Hui ‘ Wa’a Kaulua file photo.

Moʻokiha o Piʻilani. File photo courtesy Jeff Balinbin.

Moʻokiha o Piʻilani crew. File photo courtesy: Kamaʻemaʻe Smith.

File photo by Katherine Kamaʻemaʻe Smith.

File photo by Katherine Kamaʻemaʻe Smith.

Mo’okiha o Pi’ilani. File photo courtesy Hui o Wa’a Kaulua.